Latest News

RANDY SPORTAK, QMI Agency

Jun 27, 2011

, Last Updated: 12:11 AM ET

CALGARY - The Calgary Flames have more changes coming to their hockey operations department, adding a new director of player personnel to the mix after Duane Sutter was told he wouldn’t be brought back, according to a QMI Agency source.

Sutter was told the news Sunday after all the team’s braintrust returned from the NHL Entry Draft help this past weekend in Minnesota.

It’s yet another key position which Flames GM Jay Feaster will be filling over the next while, on top of dealing with the free-agency frenzy which will heat up Friday.

And according to Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada Sunday night, Bruins scout John Weisbrod will be named the Flames' new assistant general manager. Weisbrod is a former Minnesota North Stars draft pick (1987) and played collegiate hockey at Harvard.

Weisbrod has also scouted for the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars, and served as GM of the IHL Orlando Solar Bears from 1997-2001, then worked for the NBA Orlando Magic, including a stint as GM in 2004-05.

Feaster is also on the hunt for a new head coach for the AHL Abbotsford Heat, the club’s top minor league affiliate.

There may also be changes in the scouting department, which often happens when a new regime takes over.

Duane Sutter joined the Flames organization as director of players personnel in the summer of 2008.

The four-time Stanley Cup winner came to the Flames after spending 11 seasons working for the Florida Panthers, five as that team’s director of player development. Along the way, he also served as the Panthers’ head coach, assistant coach and professional scout. He also spent two seasons as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks and coached their minor league team for two full seasons.

The move continues major housecleaning throughout the organization after the Flames failed to make the playoffs.

At one time, four of the Sutter brothers were part of the Flames organization. Brent Sutter is heading into his third season as head coach, while Ron Sutter spent last year as the development coach after several seasons as a scout.